The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-11-16
COL. JAMES EDWARD CALHOUN.
Esia Serious. IL Not Fatal Illness. Rt
Ninety Years Of Age.

Late yesterday evening Il messenger came
from Colonel James Edward Calhoun $, stat,
ing that he was extremely III. and That hr hnd
! requested his kinSinnn. a'r. T.. Il. Calhoun
and Mrs. Calhoun, to go to see him. Mr.. r..
B. Calhoun was not ut home at the time, but
Mrs. Calhoun went last night To his home on
Savannah river, some twenty miles distant.
| Although living in perhaps greater seclu.
sion thnn any Ohcr man In ADhcriile county,
yet, because of his wealth and his eccentrlc-
| Ties, his name has been iamil TO this genera
| ton from their earliest recollection.
! He was descendant from the earliest set
tiers in this county, and WAS remotely con-
nected with n large number If not all men In
this country who bear the name of Calhoun.
In his early mnnhood, perhaps in 1920, he
joined the United States Navy as private
but afterwards received Il commission. While
in the navy he travelled over much OF the
world, and his love of literature and his am.
bitlon prompted him to study and become
familiar with the language of every people
with VI HON he was stationed. Colonel Cal
his department, his soldicry bearing, his a6-
stcmi0us habits, his retirement from public
affairs, his fine executive ability, rs well rs
for his power OF accumuating money, He
was never lender of money nor speculator
In property Of any kind. When he once be-
come the owner of property he seldom parted
with 1t, and he was never prodigal with his
ready cash.
After he resigned his position in the navy
he came home, and married his cousin
Mariah SimkinS, an aunt of Mrs. NJ. G. But
Ter, who lived only short time after their
marriage. Since then he has lived alone on
his lands, miles away from the settlement OF
any other white person..
Jonn &. Calhoun married his sister.
Only few weeks ago he presented a library
of curious and rare old books to the Green
wood High School, some Of which were two
hundred years old. While the library in real
ity can be of little more worth to the Green
wood High School than specimens OF curious
print, yet we doubt not that there are places
where these old books like old wine, would
be more valuable for their age.
| Colonel Calhoun was never professor OF
religion, and wasJby many, considered an un-
believer. His eccentricity In proclaiming his
disregard for the religious beliefs OF christian
people was no doubt a bar to his preferment
| in the political world, and hence his sensitive
nature caused him to withdraw from the world
in his earlier life TO devote himself 10 the
work Of building up great fortune while
nephew. Mr.. Z. B. Calhoun, of this Village, to
inherit his vast estate.
| :. He was the largest tax payer in Abbevllle
county, and the largest landowner IN the up.
country. Besides owning eleven thousand
acres on the Savannah, he owned an i'm
mcnse body of land In Oconee and Pickens
counties. Trotters shoals on the Savannah. If
| improved, would afford more power than 1t If
possible for an unlimited amount OF capital
| to utilize. The Georgia, Carolina and North
crn Railway runs across these shoals and
through his estate on both sides of the river
for distance OF seven miles.
The belief has existed for some time thut he
had nude will, but Of this, we have no def
mite Information, but various specuations
have been made with reference to the dis.
position Of this property which may effect
Abbeville county for years to come. Some
believe that lie has made will directing
that his estate consisting almost wholly of
lands shall remain in tact, and that only his
favored friends and their children shall re-
ceive the rents for generations yet unborn.